Electric vehicle charging system with priority charging

ABSTRACT

A first controller can be coupled to a main power supply and deliver a first charging current to an electric vehicle (EV) at a first charging station. The first controller can also deliver power to a second controller that can provide a second charging current to an EV at a second charging station. The first controller turns off the power to the second controller in response to determining that there is an EV charging at the first charging station, and turns on the power to the second controller only in response to determining that an EV is not charging at the first charging station.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.15/222,813, titled “An Electric Vehicle Charging System,” filed on Jul.28, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/263,564, titled “Multiple Vehicle Charging Stations Per Power Circuitand Time Multiplexing Charging Method,” filed on Dec. 4, 2015, both ofwhich are incorporated by reference in their entirety. This applicationis related to the copending applications U.S. application Ser. Nos.15/222,841 and 15/222,856, titled “An Electric Vehicle Charging Method”and “An Electric Vehicle Charging System Interface,” respectively, bothfiled on Jul. 28, 2016, and both incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

Electric vehicles (EVs) rely on batteries that periodically need to becharged. EV owners can readily charge their vehicles at home, where theyhave exclusive access to home charging stations or electrical outlets.But when away from home, EV owners rely on and have to share chargingstations in public or private places such as workplaces, shoppingcenters, movie venues, restaurants, and hotels.

The demand for charging stations is increasing as the number of EVscontinues to increase. Businesses are starting to add charging stationsto their parking lots as a perk for their employees and customers. Also,some local governments are mandating that businesses add chargingstations.

Thus, whether driven by consumer demand or government mandate, morecharging stations are being installed outside the home. However, thecost of a charging station (hardware, including dedicated power lines,and installation) is relatively high and is usually borne by thebusiness owner. Accordingly, a solution that reduces the cost ofcharging stations would be valuable, by lessening the burden onbusinesses while increasing the availability of charging stations to EVowners.

Even if the cost of charging stations (including installation) isreduced, it will remain inefficient from a cost point-of-view to installenough charging stations to satisfy peak demand. Thus, charging stationswill still need to be shared. EV owners by their nature understand theneed to share charging stations, but nevertheless they areinconvenienced by the need to move their vehicle from a parking space toa charging station once the charging station becomes available, and thenmove their vehicle to another parking space after their vehicle ischarged to make room for another vehicle. Accordingly, a solution thatmakes it easier for EV owners to share charging stations would also bevaluable.

SUMMARY

In embodiments according to the present disclosure, a first controllercan be coupled to a main power supply and can deliver a first chargingcurrent to an electric vehicle (EV) at a first charging station. Thefirst controller can also deliver power to a second controller. Thesecond controller can provide a second charging current to an EV at asecond charging station. The first controller turns off the power to thesecond controller in response to determining that there is an EVcharging at the first charging station, and turns on the power to thesecond controller only in response to determining that an EV is notcharging at the first charging station.

In an embodiment, the first controller and the second controller eachincludes a processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)) and eachincludes one or more channels controlled by their respective CPU. Afirst channel of the first controller is coupled to the first chargingstation. The first channel may be referred to or characterized as thepriority channel. A second channel of the first controller is coupled tothe second controller. In an embodiment, if an electrical load ispresent on the priority channel, then the power to the second controlleris switched off until the load is removed; and if there is no load onthe priority channel, then power to the second controller can beswitched on. The second controller can be used to control charging ofone or more EVs using, for example, a rotating (e.g., round-robin)charging procedure. In an embodiment, if there is not a load on thepriority channel or on the second controller's channels, then power ismaintained on both of the first controller's first (priority) and secondchannels until there is a load on the priority channel.

Embodiments according to the present invention thus include, but are notlimited to, the following features: multiple physical chargingstations/connections per circuit; rotating (e.g., round-robin) charging;and automatic charging of multiple vehicles without user intervention.Thus, it is easier for EV owners to share charging stations. A singlecircuit can be used for multiple charging stations/connections andtherefore costs are reduced.

The priority channel can be turned on for a specified period of time,until the charging current on the priority channel decreases to athreshold level or value, and/or until a specified amount of electricalcharge is delivered over the priority channel. Thus, for example, a usercan pay to have his or her EV charged at the first charging station fora certain amount of time or for a certain amount or level of charge.Once the paid-for charge is delivered, the priority channel can beturned off and power can be delivered to the second controller to chargeEVs at the second charging station and at other charging stationsconnected to the second controller. This type of implementation isparticularly advantageous, for example, for a business that has a fleetof EVs that periodically require charging. The charging stationscontrolled by the second controller can be used to charge that fleetwhen the priority channel is not being used by a paying customer. Thishelps further reduce or defray the cost of installing and operatingcharging stations and makes it easier for charging stations to beshared.

Another benefit of the priority channel is that it can be used byemergency vehicles such as ambulances or other EVs that may bedesignated as priority vehicles.

These and other objects and advantages of the various embodimentsaccording to the present invention will be recognized by those ofordinary skill in the art after reading the following detaileddescription of the embodiments that are illustrated in the variousdrawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification and in which like numerals depict like elements,illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with thedetailed description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing elements of a multivehicle chargingsystem in an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of charging one or moreelectric vehicles (EVs) in an embodiment according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a multivehiclecharging system in an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a controller for amultivehicle charging station in an embodiment according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of multiple vehicles charging at acharging station with multiple output connections in an embodimentaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating an example of a charge signature for anEV used for managing charging in an embodiment according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating examples of computer-implementedoperations for monitoring and managing a network of EV charging stationsin embodiments according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating examples of computer-implementedoperations for monitoring and managing a network of EV charging stationsin embodiments according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating examples of computer-implementedoperations for monitoring and managing a network of EV charging stationsin embodiments according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a display that constitutes selectedelements of a graphical user interface (GUI) that is rendered on adisplay device in an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a display that constitutes selectedelements of a GUI that is rendered on a display device in an embodimentaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a display that constitutes selectedelements of a GUI that is rendered on a display device in an embodimentaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a display that constitutes selectedelements of a GUI that is rendered on a display device in an embodimentaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating examples of computer-implementedoperations associated with monitoring and managing a network of EVcharging stations in an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an example of a computing device orcomputer system capable of implementing embodiments according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a controller in anembodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of computer-implementedoperations for managing a multivehicle charging system in embodimentsaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of thepresent disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. While described in conjunction with theseembodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limitthe disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the disclosure isintended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which maybe included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined bythe appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed descriptionof the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure.However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well-knownmethods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described indetail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the presentdisclosure.

Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented interms of procedures, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolicrepresentations of operations on data bits within a computer memory.These descriptions and representations are the means used by thoseskilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. In the presentapplication, a procedure, logic block, process, or the like, isconceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructionsleading to a desired result. The steps are those utilizing physicalmanipulations of physical quantities. Usually, although not necessarily,these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capableof being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwisemanipulated in a computer system. It has proven convenient at times,principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals astransactions, bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, samples,pixels, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the followingdiscussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present disclosure,discussions utilizing terms such as “receiving,” “directing,” “sending,”“stopping,” “determining,” “generating,” “displaying,” “indicating,”“turning on,” “turning off,” or the like, refer to actions and processes(e.g., flowcharts 1100, 1200, 1300, 1800, and 2500 of FIGS. 11, 12, 13,18, and 25, respectively) of an apparatus or computer system or similarelectronic computing device or processor (e.g., the device 1900 of FIG.19). A computer system or similar electronic computing devicemanipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic)quantities within memories, registers or other such information storage,transmission or display devices.

Embodiments described herein may be discussed in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions residing on some form ofcomputer-readable storage medium, such as program modules, executed byone or more computers or other devices. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable storage media may comprise non-transitorycomputer storage media and communication media. Generally, programmodules include routines, programs, objects, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may becombined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.

Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but isnot limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory (e.g., anSSD or NVMD) or other memory technology, compact disk ROM (CD-ROM),digital versatile disks (DVDs) or other optical storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store thedesired information and that can accessed to retrieve that information.

Communication media can embody computer-executable instructions, datastructures, and program modules, and includes any information deliverymedia. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediaincludes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection,and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared andother wireless media. Combinations of any of the above can also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media.

In overview, in embodiments according to the present disclosure, asingle circuit (power circuit) is routed to multiple charging stations(or to a single station that has multiple charging connectors, which arereferred to herein as output connections, connectors, or cables). At anyone time, only one of the charging stations/connectors on that singlecircuit is being used to charge a vehicle. That vehicle is charged for aspecified period of time (e.g., 30 minutes), charging of that vehicle isthen stopped, and then the next charging station/connector on the singlecircuit is used to charge another vehicle for a specified period of time(e.g., 30 minutes, or some other length of time), and so on according toa charging sequence or procedure. For example, if there are fourcharging stations/connectors on a single circuit and a vehicle isconnected to each charging station/connector, then vehicle 1 atstation/connector 1 is charged for a specified time period (the othervehicles are not being charged while vehicle 1 is charged), then vehicle2 at station/connector 2 is charged, and so on, then back to vehicle 1at station/connector 1 in, for example, round-robin fashion (around-robin charging sequence). If a vehicle is not connected to acharging station/connector, or if the vehicle connected to a chargingstation/connector does not need to be charged, then that chargingstation/connector is bypassed in accordance with the charging procedure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing selected elements of a multivehiclecharging system 100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.The multivehicle charging system 100 can include a number of differentcharging stations such as the charging station 110. Each chargingstation includes an input 108 that receives a voltage. The voltage comesfrom an electrical panel (main alternating current [AC] power source130) and is delivered over a dedicated circuit 131 to a charging stationor a group of charging stations, depending on the implementation; seeFIGS. 4-8 for information about different implementations. There may bemultiple electrical panels and multiple circuits, depending on thenumber of charging stations. Each charging station includes powerelectronics (not shown) such as wires, capacitors, transformers, andother electronic components.

In the example of FIG. 1, the multivehicle charging system 100 alsoincludes a number of output cables or output connections 141, 142, 143,and 144 (141-144). As will be described, depending on theimplementation, a charging station can have only a single outputconnection, or a charging station can have multiple output connections.Thus, depending on the implementation, the output connections 141-144can all be coupled to a single charging station, or each of the outputconnections can be coupled to a respective charging station (one outputconnection per charging station); see FIGS. 4-8 for additionalinformation. While four output connections are illustrated and describedin the example of FIG. 1, embodiments according to the present inventionare not so limited; there can be fewer than four output connections percharging station, or more than four output connections per chargingstation.

As will be described in conjunction with FIGS. 4-8 below, a controller106 (which may also be referred as the electric vehicle mastercontroller) manages distribution of electricity in the multivehiclecharging system 100. The controller 106 may perform other functions,such as metering of power usage and storage of information related tocharging events. Depending on the implementation, the multivehiclecharging system 100 can include multiple controllers. Depending on theimplementation, a controller may manage EV charging at multiple chargingstations, or a controller may manage EV charging at a single chargingstation. FIGS. 5-8, described below, illustrate differentimplementations of the controller 106.

Continuing with reference to the example of FIG. 1, each of the outputcables or connections 141-144 is coupled to at least one head (the heads111, 112, 113, and 114, respectively). A head may be a plug that can beplugged into a socket on an electric vehicle (EV) such as the EVs 120and 121. Alternatively, a head may be a socket that can be connected toa plug from an EV. In general, a head is configured to connect to an EVand deliver a charging current to an EV to which it is connected. In theexample of FIG. 1, a single head is connected to each output cable. Inan embodiment, multiple heads are connected to one or more of the outputconnections 141-144 (see the discussion below of FIGS. 7 and 8).

An EV can be any type of vehicle such as, but not limited to, a car,truck, motorcycle, golf cart, or motorized (power-assisted) bicycle.

Embodiments according to the present invention can be utilized in Level2 or Level 3 charging stations, although the present invention is notlimited to such types of charging stations and can be utilized in othertypes that may come into existence in the future. In an embodiment, themaximum charging current is 32 amps, but again embodiments according tothe present invention are not so limited.

In embodiments according to the present invention, using the example ofFIG. 1, the multivehicle charging system 100 provides a charging currentto only one of the output connections 141-144 at a time if multiple EVs(e.g., EVs 120 and 121) are concurrently connected to the chargingstation via the heads. That is, for example, if the period of time inwhich the EV 120 is connected to the output connection 144 overlaps theperiod of time in which the EV 121 is connected to the output connection143, then a charging current is supplied to only one of those two EVs ata time.

In an embodiment, a charging current is not provided to an outputconnection if there is not an electrical load (e.g., an EV) connected tothat output connection. In an embodiment, a charging current is notprovided to an output connection if the EV connected to that outputconnection does not require further charging.

In an embodiment, in the example of FIG. 1, a charging current isprovided to a first one of the output connections 141-144 for aninterval of time and then the charging current is stopped, switched toanother one of the output connections, restarted for another interval oftime (whose length may be the same as or different from the length ofthe preceding interval of time), and so on, until a charging current hasbeen provided to all of the output connections that are connected to anEV, at which point the cycle begins again.

In an embodiment, each interval is 30 minutes in length, but the presentinvention is not so limited. The length of each interval is programmableand is changeable. The length of an interval for an output connectioncan be different from that of another output connection; in other words,the lengths of the intervals do not have to be the same across all ofthe output connections 141-144.

In another embodiment, a charging current is provided to one of theoutput connections 141-144 until the charging current drops below athreshold amount (e.g., 50 percent of peak), the charging current tothat output connection is stopped, switched to another one of the outputconnections, restarted until the charging current again drops below athreshold amount, and so on (additional detail is provided below in theexample of FIG. 10).

With reference still to the example of FIG. 1, in an embodiment, acharging current is provided to each of the output connections connectedto an EV in round-robin fashion, one output connection at a time. Forexample, if EVs are connected to all of the output connections 141-144,then a charging current is provided to the output connection 141, thento output connection 142, then to output connection 143, then to outputconnection 144, then back to output connection 141, and so on(additional detail is provided below in the example of FIG. 9).

As noted above, if an output connection is not connected to an EV or ifthe EV does not require further charging, then the output connection isautomatically skipped. However, the present invention is not so limited.For example, an output connection can be designated as a priorityconnection, in which case a charging current is provided to the priorityconnection more frequently or for a longer period of time than to otheroutput connections. More specifically, if there are four outputconnections (1, 2, 3, and 4) that are used in round-robin fashion, thenthe charging sequence would be 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4, etc. (assuming an EV isconnected to each of the output connections). If output connection 2 isdesignated as a priority connection, then the charging sequence might be1-2-3-2-4-2-1-2-3-2-4-2, etc., or 2-1-2-3-4-2-1-2-3-4-2, etc. (again,assuming an EV is connected to each of the output connections). Thecharging procedure or sequence is programmable and is changeable. Interms of charging time, if output connection 2 is designated as apriority connection, then the charging times might be (in minutes)30-60-30-30-30-60-30-30, etc. (assuming a round-robin procedure and anEV is connected to each of the output connections).

As mentioned above, in an embodiment, if there is not an EV connected tothe output connection, then a charging current is not supplied to theoutput connection; in other words, that output connection is skipped. Insuch an embodiment, before a charging current is provided to an outputconnection, the charging system is configured to detect whether an EV isconnected to that output connection (additional detail is provided belowin the example of FIG. 4). Thus, in the example of FIG. 1, a check ismade to determine whether an EV is connected to the output connection143, a charging current is then provided to the output connection 143since the EV 121 is connected to that output connection, the chargingcurrent to the output connection 143 is stopped, a check is made todetermine whether an EV is connected to the output connection 144, acharging current is then provided to the output connection 144 since theEV 120 is connected to that output connection, the charging current tothe output connection 144 is stopped, a check is made to determinewhether an EV is connected to the output connection 141, a chargingcurrent is not provided to the output connection 141 since an EV is notconnected to that output connection, a check is made to determinewhether an EV is connected to the output connection 142, and so on.

Also as mentioned above, in an embodiment, a charging current is notprovided to an output connection if the EV connected to that outputconnection does not require further charging. In such an embodiment,before a charging current is provided to an output connection, thecharging system is configured to automatically determine whether or notan EV connected to an output connection requires a charge. For example,an EV's charge signature or state of charge (SOC) can be provided by theEV or accessed by the charging system to determine whether the EV'sbatteries are fully charged or at least charged to a threshold amount(see the discussion of FIG. 4 below). If the batteries are fully orsatisfactorily charged, then a charging current is not supplied to theoutput connection; in other words, that output connection is skipped.Thus, in this embodiment and with reference to the example of FIG. 1, acheck is made to determine whether an EV is connected to the outputconnection 143 and whether the EV needs to be charged. Because the EV121 is connected to the output connection 143, a charging current maythen be provided to the output connection 143 if that EV requires acharge. The charging current to the output connection 143 is stopped,and a check is then made to determine whether another EV is connected tothe output connection 144 and whether that EV needs to be charged.Because the EV 120 is connected to the output connection 144, a chargingcurrent may then be provided to the output connection 144 if that EVrequires a charge. This process continues to the next output connectionuntil all output connections have been checked, and then returns to thefirst output connection to begin another cycle.

The flowchart 200 of FIG. 2 illustrates a method of charging one or moreEVs in an embodiment according to the present invention. In block 202,an output connection is selected or accessed. In block 204, adetermination is made whether there is a load (an EV) present on theselected output connection. This determination can be madeautomatically. If not, then the flowchart 200 returns to block 202 andanother output connection is selected or accessed in accordance with acharging sequence or procedure. If there is a load present, then theflowchart 200 proceeds to block 206. In block 206, a check is made todetermine whether the EV requires a charge. If so, then the flowchart200 proceeds to block 208; otherwise, the flowchart returns to block 202and another output connection is selected or accessed. In block 208, acharging current is provided to the selected output connection. In block210, a determination is made whether a condition is satisfied. Thecondition may be, for example, an interval of time has expired or thecharging current to the selected output connection has decreased to athreshold value. If the condition is satisfied, then the chargingcurrent to the selected output connection is stopped in block 212, andthen the flowchart 200 returns to block 202 and another outputconnection is selected or accessed according to the charging sequence orprocedure. If the condition is not satisfied, then the flowchart 200returns to block 208 and the charging current to the selected outputconnection is continued.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a multivehiclecharging system in an embodiment according to the present invention.Only a single power circuit is illustrated; however, the presentinvention is not so limited. In other words, multiple such systems canbe implemented in parallel.

In the example of FIG. 3, main power is delivered over a dedicatedcircuit 131 from an electrical panel 302 (e.g., from the main AC powersource 130) to a controller 106, which also may be referred to as acyber switching block. The controller 106 is in communication with agraphical user interface (GUI) 304 implemented on a computer system 1900(the GUI is described further in conjunction with FIGS. 14-18).Communication between the controller 106 and the computer system 1900may be implemented using a wired and/or wireless connection and mayoccur directly and/or over the Internet or an intranet (e.g., anEthernet or local area network). In an embodiment, the controller 106 isin the charging station 110. In another embodiment, the controller 106is not in the charging station 110, but is in communication with thecharging station.

In the example of FIG. 3, the controller 106 has four channels: channels1, 2, 3, and 4 (1-4). Depending on the implementation, each channel canbe connected to a respective charging station, or each channel can beconnected to a respective output connection. This is described furtherin conjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating elements of the controller 106 inan embodiment according to the present invention. In the example of FIG.4, the controller 106 includes a processor (e.g., a central processingunit (CPU)) 402 that can be coupled to the computer system 1900 and theGUI 304 via a communication interface 404, which as mentioned above iscapable of wireless and/or wired communication. The controller 106 canbe implemented on a single printed circuit board (PCB) that has a lowvoltage side (e.g., containing the CPU) and a separate high voltage side(the main power side). In an embodiment, the processor 402 is powered bya separate, low voltage (e.g., five volt) power supply 406. In anembodiment, the controller 106 includes memory 401, which can be used tostore information related to charging events, for example.

The main AC power source 130 is connected to each of the channels 1-4 bya respective relay R or switch that is individually controlled by theprocessor 402. As described herein, by turning on and off the relay orswitch, a charging current is provided to a first one of the channels,the charging current to the first one of the channels is then turnedoff, a charging current is then provided to a second one of thechannels, and so on. More specifically, for example, a charging currentcan be provided to a first one of the channels, turned off when aninterval of time expires or when a charging threshold is reached, thenprovided to a second one of the channels, and so on. Also, in variousembodiments, a charging current is provided to each of the channels onechannel at a time in round-robin fashion, and/or a channel is designatedas a priority channel, in which case a charging current is provided tothe priority channel more frequently than to other channels. Manydifferent charging sequences or procedures can be used.

In an embodiment, each of the channels 1-4 includes a respective currentsensor CT and a respective voltage sensor VS. Accordingly, thecontroller 106 can detect whether an electrical load (e.g., an EV) isconnected to a channel before a charging current is provided to thechannel. In an embodiment, the controller 106 can also detect a chargesignature for an EV connected to a channel before a charging current isprovided to the channel; if the charge signature indicates that the EVdoes not require further charging (e.g., it is fully charged), then thecharging current is not provided to the channel.

In an embodiment, the controller 106 can also automatically determinewhether a channel is already drawing a current before a charging currentis provided to the channel. If so, the controller indicates a faultcondition (actually, the possibility of a fault condition is indicated).For example, an alert can be displayed on the GUI 304. Diagnostics canthen be performed to determine whether an actual fault condition ispresent, and corrective actions can be performed if so.

In an embodiment, the controller 106 can also automatically determinewhether a channel is drawing a current greater than the amount it issupposed to be drawing and, if so, the controller indicates a faultcondition. For example, if the maximum current that should be drawn is32 amps and if an amperage greater than that is detected, then a faultcondition is indicated. For example, an alert can be displayed on theGUI 304. Diagnostics can then be performed to determine whether anactual fault condition is present, and corrective actions can beperformed if so.

In an embodiment, at the end of each cycle through all of the channels1-4, a check is made to ensure no channel is drawing a current. If achannel is drawing a current, then all relays are opened, and then acheck is completed again to ensure all channels are off and not drawingcurrent. Once it is confirmed that all channels are clear, themultivehicle charging process can then begin again.

In an embodiment, a channel is automatically shut down when anypower-related fault or issue is detected. In an embodiment, if a channelhas been shut down (either automatically or manually), the load check isbypassed on the channel until it is manually turned on again.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention. In the example of FIG. 5, the charging station 110 isconnected to an electrical panel (the main AC power source 130) via asingle (dedicated) circuit 131, and is also connected to the controller106. In an embodiment, the controller 106 is incorporated into thecharging station 110. Each of the channels 1-4 of the controller 106 isconnected to a respective one of the output connections 541, 542, 543,and 544 (541-544), which in turn are connected to heads 511, 512, 513,and 514 (511-514), respectively. In this implementation, the controller106 directs a charging current to the output connections 541-544, one ata time as described above, and thus also directs a charging current tothe heads 511-514, one at a time.

The implementation of FIG. 5 can be replicated, so that the multivehiclecharging system constitutes a part of a network of multiple chargingstations, each charging station capable of charging multiple EVs andeach charging station having its own dedicated circuit from theelectrical panel.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of anotherimplementation of a multivehicle charging system in an embodimentaccording to the present invention. In the example of FIG. 6, thecontroller 106 is connected to an electrical panel (the main AC powersource 130) via a single (dedicated) circuit 131. Each of the channels1-4 of the controller 106 is connected to a respective charging station611, 612, 613, and 614 (611-614), which in turn are connected to heads651, 652, 653, and 654 (651-654), respectively, by a respective outputconnection 641, 642, 643, or 644 (641-644). In the FIG. 6implementation, the controller 106 directs a charging current to thechannels 1-4 one at a time, and hence to the charging stations 611-614one at a time, and thus also directs a charging current to the outputconnections 641-644 and the heads 651-654, one at a time.

The implementation of FIG. 6 can be replicated, so that the multivehiclecharging system constitutes a part of a network of multiple chargingstations, with multiple charging stations connected to a singlecontroller and each controller having its own dedicated circuit from theelectrical panel.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention. The FIG. 7 embodiment is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 5, except that the charging station 110 has at least one outputconnection (e.g., the output connection 741) that has more than one(e.g., two) heads 751 and 752. In an embodiment, the controller 106 isincorporated into the charging station 110.

In the FIG. 7 embodiment, the controller 106 directs a charging currentto the output connections 741, 542, 543, and 544, one at a time, asdescribed herein. When the charging current is directed to the outputconnection 741, it is split between the heads 751 and 752. For example,one of the heads receives about half of the charging current, and theother head receives the rest of the charging current. If the maximumcharging current is 32 amps, then the heads 751 and 752 each receiveabout 16 amps. In this manner, two EVs can be charged at the same timeeven though a charging current is provided to only one output connectionat a time.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of anotherimplementation of a multivehicle charging system in an embodimentaccording to the present invention. The FIG. 8 embodiment is similar tothe embodiment of FIG. 6, except that at least one of the channels inthe controller 106 (e.g., channel 1) is connected to two chargingstations 610 and 611. The charging station 610 is connected to an outputconnection 840, which is connected to the head 850, and the chargingstation 611 is connected to the output connection 641, which isconnected to the head 642. In this embodiment, the controller 106directs a charging current to the channels 1-4, one channel at a time.However, when the charging current is directed to channel 1, thatcharging current can be split between the charging stations 610 and 611,and thus ultimately the charging current to channel 1 can be splitbetween the output connections 840 and 641 and hence between the heads850 and 651. Therefore, for example, when EVs are connected to the heads850 and 651, one of the heads receives about half of the chargingcurrent on channel 1, and the other head receives the rest of thatcharging current. In this manner, two EVs can be charged at the sametime even though a charging current is provided to only channel at atime.

Any combination of the implementations of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 can bedeployed within the same multivehicle charging network.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of multiple vehicles charging at acharging station with multiple output connections in an embodimentaccording to the present disclosure. Four output connections andvehicles are illustrated; however, the present invention is not solimited.

In the example of FIG. 9, rotational charging is performed at 30-minuteintervals; however, the present invention is not limited to the use of30-minute intervals, and is also not limited to each vehicle beingcharged for the same length of time.

In the example of FIG. 9, vehicle 1 is charged for up to 30 minutes (ifit is fully charged in less than 30 minutes, then charging can bestopped early). Charging is stopped after 30 minutes and the outputconnector to vehicle 1 is turned off, and the next output connector ischecked to determine if it is connected to a load (e.g., anothervehicle). In this example, a load is detected (vehicle 2), and so theoutput connector for vehicle 2 is turned on and vehicle 2 is charged forup to 30 minutes, then charging is stopped and the connector to vehicle2 is turned off. The next output connector is checked to determine if itis connected to a load. In this example, a load is detected (vehicle 3),but the charge signature indicates that vehicle 3 is fully charged andso the connector to vehicle 3 is turned off and vehicle 3 is skipped.The next output connector is checked to determine if it is connected toa load. In this example, a load is detected (vehicle 4), and so theoutput connector for vehicle 4 is turned on and vehicle 4 is charged forup to 30 minutes, then charging is stopped and the connector to vehicle4 is turned off. This charging cycle then returns to the outputconnector for vehicle 1, and the cycle continues as just described untileach vehicle is fully charged. At any point, a vehicle can bedisconnected and replaced with another vehicle. If a vehicle is notconnected to an output connector, then that position in the cycle isskipped.

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating an example of a charge signature for anEV (the amount of charging current versus time being delivered to theEV) used for managing charging in an embodiment according to the presentinvention. At time t0, the charging current is turned on and ramps up toits maximum value (100 percent). The maximum value may be 16 amps or 32amps, for example, depending on the type of EV (e.g. Level 2 or Level3). That is, some EVs (Level 2) are configured for a charging current of16 amps while other EVs (Level 3) are configured for a charging currentof 32 amps. In general, the charging station 110 or the controller 106(FIG. 4) can determine what type of EV is connected to the chargingsystem and can then deliver the correct amperage.

Continuing with the example of FIG. 10, after some period of time at 100percent, the EV is nearly fully charged and the charging current beginsto decrease. At time t1, the decreasing charging current has reached athreshold value (e.g., 50 percent).

In an embodiment, the charging current at each head (or outputconnection or channel) is monitored. In such an embodiment, when thecharging current decreases to a preset threshold value (e.g., 50percent, as in the example of FIG. 10), then the charging current isstopped and the charging current is switched to another head (or outputconnection or channel). Relative to the example of FIG. 9, instead ofturning off the charging current to an output connection when a timeinterval expires or when the EV is fully charged, the charging currentis turned off when it decreases to a threshold value.

The charge signature can also be used to automatically determine whetheror not an EV is fully charged. For example, if the charging current to ahead (or output connection or channel) is turned on at time t0 but doesnot stabilize after a preset amount of time has passed (t2), then thecharging current is turned off and switched to another head (or outputconnection or channel).

FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 are flowcharts 1100, 1200, and 1300, respectively,illustrating examples of operations for monitoring and managing anetwork of EV charging stations in embodiments according to the presentinvention. These operations are generally described below, as details ofthese operations have already been described above.

The flowchart 1100 of FIG. 11 can be implemented in a multivehiclecharging system such as those illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8. Inblock 1102, with reference also to FIGS. 5-8, a voltage is received at acontroller (106) over a dedicated circuit (131) from an electric powersupply (130).

In block 1104, a charging current generated using the voltage isdirected to a first output connection (e.g., 541) if a first EV isconnected to a head (e.g., 511) of the first output connection.

In block 1106, the charging current to the first output connection isstopped.

In block 1108, after the charging current to the first output connectionis stopped, the charging current is directed to a second outputconnection (e.g., 542) if a second EV is connected to a head (e.g., 512)of the second output connection. In an embodiment, the charging currentis directed to the first output connection for a first interval of time,stopped when the first interval expires, and then directed to the secondoutput connection for a second interval of time. In an embodiment, thecharging current is directed to the first output connection until thecharging current drops to a threshold amperage, stopped when thethreshold is reached, and then directed to the second output connection.

In an embodiment, in blocks 1104 and 1108, before the charging currentis provided to an output connection, a determination is made as towhether the charging current should be provided.

In an embodiment, in blocks 1104 and 1108, before the charging currentis provided to an output connection, a determination is made as towhether there is an electrical load connected to the output connection.In this embodiment, the charging current is not directed to the outputconnection if there is not an electrical load.

In an embodiment, in blocks 1104 and 1108, before the charging currentis provided to an output connection, a determination is made as towhether an EV connected to the output connection requires furthercharging (e.g., is fully charged). For example, a charge signature forthe EV can be used to determine whether the EV is fully charged. In thisembodiment, the charging current is not provided to the outputconnection if the EV does not require further charging.

In an embodiment, in blocks 1104 and 1108, before a charging current isprovided to an output connection, a determination is made as to whetherthe output connection is already drawing a current, and for indicating afault condition when the output connection is drawing a current beforethe charging current is provided.

The flowchart 1200 of FIG. 12 can be executed by a controller (106) thatincludes a processor 402 and a number of channels (1-4) as described inconjunction with FIG. 4. In block 1202, a charging current generatedfrom an input power supply (130) is directed to a first one of thechannels.

In block 1204, the charging current to the first channel is turned off.In various embodiments, the charging current is turned off if a timeinterval expires or if the amperage of the charging current decreases toa particular threshold.

In block 1206, after the charging current to the first channel is turnedoff, a charging current is directed from the input power supply to asecond one of the channels.

With reference also to FIG. 1, the flowchart 1300 of FIG. 13 illustratesa method of charging one or more EVs at a charging station (110). Inblock 1302, a voltage from an electric power supply (130) is received atan input (108) of the charging station over a dedicated circuit (131).The charging station includes a number of output cables or connectors(141-144), each of which is connected to at least one head (111-114).

In block 1304, a charging current is provided to only one of the outputcables at a time if multiple EVs are concurrently connected to thecharging station via the heads. The charging current is provided to afirst one of the output cables and then the charging current is stopped,switched to a second one of the output cables, and restarted.

FIGS. 14, 15, 16, and 17 illustrate examples of displays that constituteselected elements of the GUI 304 (FIG. 3) that are rendered on a displaydevice 1912 in embodiments according to the present invention. Thedisplays shown in these examples may be full-screen displays, or theymay be windows in a full-screen display. The displays may be displayedindividually, or multiple displays may be displayed at the same time(e.g., side-by-side). The displays shown and described below areexamples only, intended to demonstrate some of the functionality of theGUI 304. The present invention is not limited to these types orarrangements of displays.

The GUI 304 is a browser-based interface that utilizes current basicfunctions of the browser plus additional functionality that can be usedto manage and monitor a multivehicle charging system or network thatincludes one or more charging stations such as those describedpreviously herein. Each charging station, output connection, and/or headcan be monitored and controlled (programmed) over a network.

Furthermore, some or all of the GUI 304 can be accessed remotely fromanother computer system or a device such as a smartphone, or informationfrom the GUI can be pushed to remote devices such as other computersystems and smartphones. Also, in an embodiment, information from asmartphone or computer system, including a computer system or similartype of intelligent device on an EV, is received via the browser-basedinterface and used, for example, to control charging or to providebilling information to the owner or manager of the EV charging system.

In an embodiment, the display 1400 includes, in essence, a rendering ofa map showing a network of charging stations 1-5 represented by the GUIelements 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, and 1405 (1401-1405), respectively. Thecharging stations 1-5 may be exemplified by any of the charging stationsdescribed herein. In an embodiment, the display 1400 indicates thepositions of the charging stations relative to one another and relativeto nearby landmarks (e.g., the building A) as well as the approximatelocations of the charging stations in a parking lot. Priority chargingstations (stations with a priority connection or channel) can also bedesignated in the map; in the example of FIG. 14, a letter “P” is placedproximate to a charging station that includes a priority connection orchannel. As mentioned above, information included in the display 1400can be sent to or accessed by remote devices such as smartphones. Thus,drivers can determine the locations of charging stations in the network.Also, in an embodiment, the GUI elements 1401-1405 can be used toindicate which of the charging stations has or may have an availableoutput connection. In the example of FIG. 14, the GUI element 1401 isshaded to indicate that it has an output connection that may beavailable.

The GUI elements 1401-1405 can be individually selected (e.g., byclicking on one of them with a mouse, or by touching one of them on atouch screen). When one of the GUI elements (e.g., the element 1401,corresponding to station 1) is selected, the display 1500 of FIG. 15 isdisplayed on the display device 1912. The display 1500 includes GUIelements 1501, 1502, 1503, and 1504 (1501-1504) representing the outputconnections 141-144 of the selected charging station, as well as a GUIelement 1510 that identifies the selected charging station.

The GUI elements 1501-1504 can be used to indicate which of the outputconnections is connected to an EV and which one of the outputconnections is currently providing a charging current to an EV. In theexample of FIG. 15, the GUI elements 1503 and 1504 are colored, lit, ordarkened to indicate that they are currently connected to an EV, and theGUI element 1503 is highlighted in some manner (e.g., encircled by theGUI element 1515) to indicate that the output connection 143 of station1 is currently providing a charging current to an EV. In an embodiment,the GUI elements 1501-1504 include text to indicate the status of therespective output connections; for example, the word “active” can bedisplayed within a GUI element to indicate that the corresponding outputconnection is being used to charge an EV, and the word “standby” can bedisplayed within a GUI element to indicate that the corresponding outputconnection is available. Also, priority output connections can also beidentified in some manner; in the example of FIG. 15, a letter “P” isplaced proximate to the GUI element 1504 to indicate that the outputconnection 144 is a priority connection. As mentioned above, informationincluded in the display 1500 can be sent to or accessed by remotedevices such as smartphones. Thus, drivers can determine which chargingstations in the network are in use and which are available.Alternatively, an alert of some type can be sent to the drivers'devices.

In an embodiment, the display 1600 is opened and displayed on thedisplay device 1912 by selecting (clicking on or touching) the GUIelement 1510. The display 1600 displays information for each of theoutput connections 141-144 of charging station 1. For example, thedisplay 1600 can indicate the status of each of the output connections141-144, to indicate which of the output connections is connected to anEV and which one of the output connections is providing a chargingcurrent to an EV, similar to what was described above. Otherinformation, such as the voltage level and amperage for each outputconnection and the on/off status of each output connection, can also bedisplayed. Using the GUI elements 1611, 1612, 1613, and 1614, a user canindividually turn off or turn on the output connections 141-144. Similarcontrol mechanisms can be used to turn on and off individual chargingstations and to turn on and off individual heads. Priority outputconnections can also be identified in some manner; in the example ofFIG. 16, a letter “P” is placed proximate to the GUI element 1604 toindicate that the output connection 144 is a priority connection.

In an embodiment, the display 1600 includes a GUI element 1601, 1602,1603, and 1604 (1601-1604) for the output connections 141-144,respectively. The GUI elements 1601-1604 can be individually selected(e.g., by clicking on one of them with a mouse, or by touching one ofthem). When one of the GUI elements (e.g., the element 1603,corresponding to the output connection 143) is selected, the display1700 of FIG. 17 is displayed on the display device 1912. In anembodiment, the display 1700 includes a graph 1710 (a charge signature)that shows amperage versus time for the output connection 143. Asmentioned above, information included in the display 1700 can be sent toor accessed by remote devices such as smartphones. Thus, using thecharge signature, drivers can determine whether or not their vehicle hasfinished charging.

In an embodiment, the display 1700 also includes a log 1720. The log1720 can display information such as a continuous log of events, withthe last event on top. Events can include alerts, state changes,user-driven changes, device additions, and changes made by an event foreach charging station, output connection, and/or channel. The log 1720,or a separate log, can include information such as charging data(charging signature) for each charge and amperage draw over time forcharging stations, output connections, and/or heads. The charging datacan include the length of each charging cycle (e.g., for each outputconnection, when charging an EV began and when it ended). The chargingdata can be used to identify and implement better charge and cycledurations.

With reference back to FIG. 14, the GUI 304 can include a settings tabthat, when selected, can be used to open a display or window that allowsa user to edit charging station settings such as the length of thecharging interval for each output connection, set thresholds such as thecharging threshold described above (FIG. 10), set alert thresholds andfunctions, and define additional information such as, for example,charging station name/label, description, and location. The GUI 304 canalso include a users tab that can be used to authorize which users canuse the multivehicle charging system and which users are currently usingthe system.

The GUI 304 can indicate alerts in any number of different ways. Forexample, a GUI element (not shown) can be displayed in the display 1400,or the GUI element 1401-1405 associated with a charging station that isexperiencing a possible fault condition can be changed in some way(e.g., a change in color). Similarly, the GUI element 1501-1504associated with an output connection that is experiencing a possiblefault condition can be changed in some way (e.g., a change in color).Alerts can also be audio alerts.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart 1800 illustrating examples of operationsassociated with monitoring and managing a network of EV chargingstations in an embodiment according to the present invention. Theseoperations are generally described below, as details of these operationshave already been described above.

In block 1802, with reference also to FIG. 14, a GUI (304) that includesa GUI element (1401-1405) for each of the charging stations in thenetwork is generated.

In block 1804, a selection of a GUI element for a charging station isreceived.

In block 1806, based on the information received from the network ofcharging stations, GUI elements that identify which output connection ofthe charging station is receiving a charging current are displayed.

In block 1808, in response to commands received via the GUI (that is,responsive to user interaction with the GUI), components (e.g., thecharging station itself, and/or output connections and heads of thecharging station) of the network are individually turned on and off.

In block 1810, information that indicates the availability of thecharging station and/or the availability of output connections and/orheads is sent to another device such as a smartphone.

Embodiments according to the present invention thus include, but are notlimited to, the following features: multiple physical chargingstations/connections per circuit; rotating (e.g., round-robin) charging;and automatic charging of multiple vehicles without user intervention.

Because only a single circuit is used for multiple chargingstations/connections, costs are reduced. In other words, it is notnecessary to pay for a dedicated circuit for each charging station, forexample. New charging stations can be added at a reduced cost perstation; more charging stations can be installed for the same cost.Existing infrastructure (e.g., an existing circuit) can be readilymodified to accommodate multiple charging stations instead of a singlestation.

With more charging stations, vehicle charging is more convenient. Forinstance, vehicles will not have to be moved as frequently. From anemployee's perspective, the availability of a convenient chargingstation at the workplace is a perk. From an employer's perspective, theavailability of a convenient charging station may encourage employees tostay at work a little longer in order to get a free charge, plusemployees' productivity may increase because they do not have to movetheir cars as frequently.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an example of a computing device orcomputer system 1910 capable of implementing embodiments according tothe present invention. The device 1910 broadly includes any single ormulti-processor computing device or system capable of executingcomputer-readable instructions, such as those described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 2, 11, 12, 13, and 18. In its most basic configuration, thedevice 1910 may include at least one processing circuit (e.g., theprocessor 1914) and at least one non-volatile storage medium (e.g., thememory 1916).

The processor 1914 of FIG. 19 generally represents any type or form ofprocessing unit or circuit capable of processing data or interpretingand executing instructions. In certain embodiments, the processor 1914may receive instructions from a software application or module (e.g.,the application 1940). These instructions may cause the processor 1914to perform the functions of one or more of the example embodimentsdescribed and/or illustrated above.

The system memory 1916 generally represents any type or form of volatileor non-volatile storage device or medium capable of storing data and/orother computer-readable instructions. Examples of system memory 1916include, without limitation, RAM, ROM, flash memory, or any othersuitable memory device. In an embodiment, the system memory 1916includes a cache 1920.

The device 1910 may also include one or more components or elements inaddition to the processor 1914 and the system memory 1916. For example,the device 1910 may include a memory device, an input/output (I/O)device such as a keyboard and mouse (not shown), and a communicationinterface 1918, each of which may be interconnected via a communicationinfrastructure (e.g., a bus). The device 1910 may also include a displaydevice 1912 that is generally configured to display a GUI (e.g., the GUIdisplays of FIGS. 14, 15, 16, and 17). The display device 1912 may alsoinclude a touch sensing device (e.g., a touch screen).

The communication interface 1918 broadly represents any type or form ofcommunication device or adapter capable of facilitating communicationbetween the device 1910 and one or more other devices. The communicationinterface 1918 can include, for example, a receiver and a transmitterthat can be used to receive and transmit information (wired orwirelessly), such as information from and to the charging stations in amultivehicle charging system or network and information from and toother devices such as a smartphone or another computer system.

The device 1910 can execute an application 1940 that allows it toperform operations including the operations and functions describedherein (e.g., the operations of FIGS. 11, 12, 13, and 18). A computerprogram containing the application 1940 may be loaded into the device1910. For example, all or a portion of the computer program stored on acomputer-readable medium may be stored in the memory 1916. When executedby the processor 1914, the computer program can cause the processor toperform and/or be a means for performing the functions of the exampleembodiments described and/or illustrated herein. Additionally oralternatively, the example embodiments described and/or illustratedherein may be implemented in firmware and/or hardware.

The application 1940 can include various software modules that performthe functions that have been described herein. For example, theapplication can include a user management module 1941, and systemmanagement module 1942, and a GUI module 1943. The user managementmodule 1941 can perform functions such as, but not limited to, settingup user accounts that authorize users to use the multivehicle chargingnetwork, authenticating users, metering power consumed by each user, andoptionally billing users. The system management module 1942 can performfunctions such as, but not limited to, monitoring the availability andfunctionality of network components such as circuits, channels, outputconnections, heads, and charging stations, controlling (e.g., turning onand off) such components, monitoring charge signatures and chargingperiods (to rotate charging in, for example, round-robin fashion asdescribed herein), collecting and logging network information, andperforming diagnostics. The GUI module 1943 can perform functions suchas, but not limited to, generating a GUI that can be accessed by anetwork administrator and can also be accessed by or pushed to otherdevices such as smartphones.

Electrical Vehicle Charging System with Priority Charging

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a controller in anembodiment according to the present invention. In the example of FIG.20, the controller 2000 includes a processor (e.g., a CPU) 2002 that canbe coupled to the computer system 1900 and the GUI 304 via acommunication interface 2004, which as mentioned above is capable ofwireless and/or wired communication. The controller 2000 can beimplemented on a single PCB that has a low voltage side (e.g.,containing the CPU) and a separate high voltage side (the main powerside). In an embodiment, the processor 2002 is powered by the lowvoltage (e.g., five volt) power supply 406. In an embodiment, thecontroller 2000 includes memory 2001, which can be used to storeinstructions to perform the operations that will be described below.

The main AC power source 130 is connected to the channels A and B byrelays or switches S1 or S2, respectively, that are individuallycontrolled by the processor 2002. Channel A may be referred to below asthe first channel or the priority channel, and channel B may be referredto below as the second channel or non-priority channel.

In an embodiment, each of the channels A and B includes a respectivecurrent sensor CT and a respective voltage sensor VS. Accordingly, thecontroller 2000 can detect whether an electrical load (e.g., an EV) isconnected to a channel. The controller 2000 can perform other functions,in particular the same functions as the controller 106 (as describedabove in conjunction with the discussion of FIG. 4).

As will be described in conjunction with FIG. 21-24, the controller 2000(which may be referred to below as the first controller) can be coupledto the electric power supply (main AC power source) 130 and can delivera first charging current to an EV at a first charging station. Thecontroller 2000 can also deliver power to the controller 106, which maybe referred to below as the second controller. The second controller 106can provide a second charging current to an EV at a second chargingstation. In an embodiment, the first controller 2000 turns off the powerto the second controller 106 in response to determining that there is anEV charging at the first charging station, and turns on the power to thesecond controller 106 only in response to determining that an EV is notcharging at the first charging station.

In an embodiment, the first channel A of the first controller 2000 iscoupled to the first charging station. The second channel B of the firstcontroller 2000 is coupled to the second controller 106. In anembodiment, if an electrical load is present on the first (priority)channel A, then the power to the second controller 106 is switched offuntil the load is removed; and if there is no load on the prioritychannel 1, then power to the second controller can be switched on. In anembodiment, if there is not a load on the priority channel A of thefirst controller 2000 or on any of the channels 1-4 of the secondcontroller 106, then power is maintained on both the priority channel Aand the second channel B of the first controller 2000 until there is aload on the priority channel. The switches or relays in the firstcontroller 2000 can be used to turn on and off the power to the secondcontroller 106. That is, the first switch S1 is on whenever power isreceived by the controller 2000 from the electric power supply 130, andthe second switch S2 is toggled off when an EV charging load is presenton the first channel A and is toggled on to deliver power to the secondcontroller 106 when no EV charging load is present on the first channelA.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention. In the example of FIG. 21, the first controller 2000is incorporated into a multivehicle charging system like that of FIG. 5.Specifically, in the FIG. 21 embodiment, the first controller 2000 isconnected to an electrical panel (the main AC power source 130) via asingle (dedicated) circuit 131, to the charging station 2100 through thefirst (priority) channel A, and to the charging station 110 and thesecond controller 106 through the second channel B. In an embodiment,the first controller 2000 is incorporated into the charging station2100. In an embodiment, the second controller 106 is incorporated intothe charging station 110. The charging station 2100 includes an outputconnection 2102 that is connected to a head 2104, which can be connectedto (e.g., plugged into) an EV. Each of the channels 1-4 of the secondcontroller 106 is connected to a respective one of the outputconnections 541-544, which in turn are connected to the heads 511-514,respectively.

In the example of FIG. 21, the first controller 2000 can deliver a firstcharging current to the charging station 2100. The first controller 2000can also deliver power to the charging station 110 and the secondcontroller 106. In an embodiment, the first controller 2000 turns offthe power to the charging station 110 and thus to the second controller106 in response to determining that there is an EV that is charging atthe charging station 2100, and turns on the power to the chargingstation 110 and thus to the second controller 106 only in response todetermining that an EV is not charging at the first charging station2100. In an embodiment, if the second controller 106 receives power fromthe first controller 2000, then the second controller directs a chargingcurrent to the output connections 541-544 one at a time as describedabove (e.g., in round-robin fashion), and thus also directs a chargingcurrent to the heads 511-514 one at a time.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention. In the example of FIG. 22, is incorporated into amultivehicle charging system like that of FIG. 6. Specifically, thefirst controller 2000 is connected to an electrical panel (the main ACpower source 130) via a single (dedicated) circuit 131, to the chargingstation 2100 through the first (priority) channel A, and to the secondcontroller 106 and the charging stations 611-614 through the secondchannel B. In an embodiment, the first controller 2000 is incorporatedinto the charging station 2100. In an embodiment, the second controller106 is incorporated into the charging station 110. Each of the channels1-4 of the second controller 106 is connected to a respective chargingstation 611-614, which in turn are connected to heads 651-654,respectively, by a respective output connection 641-644.

In the example of FIG. 22, the first controller 2000 can deliver a firstcharging current to the charging station 2100. The first controller 2000can also deliver power to the second controller 106. In an embodiment,the first controller 2000 turns off the power to the second controller106 and thus to the charging stations 611-614 in response to determiningthat there is an EV that is charging at the charging station 2100, andturns on the power to the second controller 206 and thus to the chargingstations 611-614 only in response to determining that an EV is notcharging at the first charging station 2100. In an embodiment, if thesecond controller 106 receives power from the first controller 2000,then the second controller directs a charging current to the channels1-4 one at a time, and hence to the charging stations 611-614 one at atime, and thus also directs a charging current to the output connections641-644 and the heads 651-654 one at a time.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention. In the example of FIG. 21, the first controller 2000is incorporated into a multivehicle charging system like that of FIG. 7.The FIG. 23 embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 21, exceptthere is at least one output connection (e.g., the output connection741) that has more than one (e.g., two) heads 751 and 752. In anembodiment, the second controller 106 is incorporated into the chargingstation 110.

In the FIG. 23 embodiment, the first controller 2000 can deliver a firstcharging current to the charging station 2100. The first controller 2000can also deliver power to the charging station 110 and the secondcontroller 106. In an embodiment, the first controller 2000 turns offthe power to the charging station 110 and thus to the second controller106 in response to determining that there is an EV that is charging atthe charging station 2100, and turns on the power to the chargingstation 110 and thus to the second controller 106 only in response todetermining that an EV is not charging at the first charging station2100. In an embodiment, if the second controller 106 receives power fromthe first controller 2000, then the second controller directs a chargingcurrent to the output connections 741, 542, 543, and 544 one at a timeas described above. When the charging current is directed to the outputconnection 741, it is split between the heads 751 and 752. For example,one of the heads receives about half of the charging current, and theother head receives the rest of the charging current. In this manner,two EVs can be charged at the same time even though a charging currentis provided to only one output connection at a time.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an implementationof a multivehicle charging system in an embodiment according to thepresent invention. In the example of FIG. 21, the first controller 2000is incorporated into a multivehicle charging system like that of FIG. 8.The FIG. 24 embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 22, exceptthat at least one of the channels in the second controller 106 (e.g.,channel 1) is connected to two charging stations 610 and 611. Thecharging station 610 is connected to an output connection 840, which isconnected to the head 850, and the charging station 611 is connected tothe output connection 641, which is connected to the head 642.

In the FIG. 24 embodiment, the first controller 2000 can deliver a firstcharging current to the charging station 2100. The first controller 2000can also deliver power to the second controller 106. In an embodiment,the first controller 2000 turns off the power to the second controller106 in response to determining that there is an EV that is charging atthe charging station 2100, and turns on the power to the secondcontroller 106 only in response to determining that an EV is notcharging at the first charging station 2100. In an embodiment, if thesecond controller 106 receives power from the first controller 2000,then the second controller 106 directs a charging current to the secondcontroller's channels 1-4 one channel at a time. However, when thecharging current is directed to channel 1 of the second controller 106,that charging current can be split between the charging stations 610 and611, and thus ultimately the charging current to channel 1 of the secondcontroller 106 can be split between the output connections 840 and 641and hence between the heads 850 and 651. Therefore, for example, whenEVs are connected to the heads 850 and 651, one of the heads receivesabout half of the charging current on channel 1 of the second controller106, and the other head receives the rest of that charging current. Inthis manner, two EVs can be charged at the same time even though acharging current is provided to only channel at a time.

The implementations of FIGS. 21-24 can be replicated, so that themultivehicle charging system constitutes a part of a network of multiplecharging stations, each charging station capable of charging multipleEVs and each charging station having its own dedicated circuit from theelectrical panel.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart 2500 illustrating an example ofcomputer-implemented operations for managing a multivehicle chargingsystem in embodiments according to the present invention. The flowchart2500 can be implemented in a multivehicle charging system such as thoseillustrated in FIGS. 21, 22, 23, and 24.

In block 2502 of FIG. 25, electrical power is received at a firstcontroller that has a first (priority) channel and a second(non-priority) channel. The first channel is operable for delivering afirst charging current to an EV at a first charging station. The secondchannel is operable for delivering at least a portion of the electricalpower from the first controller to a second controller. The secondcontroller is operable for providing a second charging current to an EVat a second charging station.

In block 2504, the first controller turns off the electrical power tothe second channel in response to determining that there is an EVcharging load on the first channel. Power to the first channel is kepton to deliver a charging current to the EV until, for example, the loadis removed (e.g., the EV is disconnected from the first chargingstation), a timer expires, or the EV is charged to a specified thresholdlevel or with a specified amount of charge.

In block 2506, the first controller turns on the electrical power to thesecond channel only in response to determining that no EV charging loadis present on the first channel. A charging station or charging stationsconnected to the second channel as described above are thus operable forproviding a charging current to a respective EV. If an EV charging loadis introduced on the first channel while the second channel is turnedon, then the second channel is turned off. Once the charging load on thefirst channel is no longer present, then power to the second channel canbe turned on again.

In an embodiment, if the second channel is on, then turned off andturned back on, charging through the second channel resumes at the placewhere it left off. Using the embodiment of FIG. 21 as an example, ifthere are four EVs connected to channels 1-4 of the second controller106 and the EV connected to channel 2 of the second controller ischarging when the second channel B of the first controller 2000 isturned off, then charging would resume at channel 2 when channel B isturned back on.

While the foregoing disclosure sets forth various embodiments usingspecific block diagrams, flowcharts, and examples, each block diagramcomponent, flowchart step, operation, and/or component described and/orillustrated herein may be implemented, individually and/or collectively,using a wide range of hardware, software, or firmware (or anycombination thereof) configurations. In addition, any disclosure ofcomponents contained within other components should be considered asexamples because many other architectures can be implemented to achievethe same functionality.

The process parameters and sequence of steps described and/orillustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied asdesired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or describedherein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps donot necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated ordiscussed. The various example methods described and/or illustratedherein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustratedherein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.

While various embodiments have been described and/or illustrated hereinin the context of fully functional computing systems, one or more ofthese example embodiments may be distributed as a program product in avariety of forms, regardless of the particular type of computer-readablemedia used to actually carry out the distribution. The embodimentsdisclosed herein may also be implemented using software modules thatperform certain tasks. These software modules may include script, batch,or other executable files that may be stored on a computer-readablestorage medium or in a computing system. These software modules mayconfigure a computing system to perform one or more of the exampleembodiments disclosed herein. One or more of the software modulesdisclosed herein may be implemented in a cloud computing environment.Cloud computing environments may provide various services andapplications via the Internet. These cloud-based services (e.g., storageas a service, software as a service, platform as a service,infrastructure as a service, etc.) may be accessible through a Webbrowser or other remote interface. Various functions described hereinmay be provided through a remote desktop environment or any othercloud-based computing environment.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the disclosure is not necessarilylimited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, thespecific features and acts described above are disclosed as exampleforms of implementing the disclosure.

Embodiments according to the present invention are thus described. Whilethe present disclosure has been described in particular embodiments, itshould be appreciated that the present invention should not be construedas limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A controller for an electric vehicle (EV)charging system, the controller comprising: a processor; a memorycoupled to the processor; a first channel coupled to the processor; anda second channel coupled to the processor, wherein the first channel isoperable for delivering a first charging current to an EV at a firstcharging station, wherein the second channel is operable for deliveringpower to a second controller that is operable for providing a secondcharging current to an EV at a second charging station, and wherein theprocessor is programmed to: turn off the power to the second controllerin response to determining that there is an EV charging load on thefirst channel; and turn on the power to the second controller only inresponse to determining that no EV charging load is present on the firstchannel.
 2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the first chargingcurrent is provided to the EV at the first charging station until thefirst charging current drops to a threshold level, and wherein the firstcharging current is stopped when the threshold level is reached.
 3. Thecontroller of claim 1, wherein the first charging current is provided tothe EV at the first charging station for an interval of time, andwherein the first charging current is stopped when the interval of timeexpires.
 4. The controller of claim 1, coupled between a dedicatedcircuit from an electric power supply and the second controller.
 5. Thecontroller of claim 4, wherein the first channel comprises a firstswitch and the second channel comprises a second switch, wherein thefirst switch is on whenever power is received by the controller from theelectric power supply, and wherein the second switch is toggled off whenthe EV charging load is present on the first channel and is toggled onto deliver the power to the second controller.
 6. An electric vehicle(EV) charging system, comprising: a first controller; a secondcontroller coupled to the first controller; a first charging stationcoupled to the first controller; and a second charging station coupledto the second controller; wherein the first controller is operable fordelivering a first electrical current to the first charging station andfor delivering electrical power to the second controller, wherein thesecond controller is operable for delivering a second electrical currentto an EV at the second charging station, and wherein the firstcontroller is programmed to perform operations comprising: turning offthe electrical power to the second controller in response to determiningthat there is an EV charging load at the first charging station; andturning on the electrical power to the second controller only inresponse to determining that no EV charging load is present at the firstcharging station.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first electricalcurrent is provided to the first charging station until the firstelectrical current drops to a threshold level, and wherein the firstelectrical current is stopped when the threshold level is reached. 8.The system of claim 6, wherein the first electrical current is providedto the first charging station for an interval of time, and wherein thefirst electrical current is stopped when the interval of time expires.9. The system of claim 6, wherein the first controller is coupledbetween a dedicated circuit from an electric power supply and the secondcontroller.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first controllercomprises a first switch and a second switch, wherein the first switchis on whenever power is received by the first controller from theelectric power supply, and wherein the second switch is toggled on andoff according to whether the EV charging load is present at the firstcharging station.
 11. The system of claim 6, wherein the second chargingstation is coupled to the second controller between the first controllerand the second controller, and wherein the second controller is coupledto a plurality of output connections.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the plurality of output connections comprise an outputconnection comprising a first head and a second head.
 13. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the second controller is coupled to the second chargingstation between the first controller and the second charging station,wherein the second controller comprises a first channel and a secondchannel, wherein the first channel of the second controller is operablefor delivering the second electrical current to the second chargingstation, and wherein the second channel of the second controller isoperable for delivering a third electrical current to a third chargingstation.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the second channel isfurther operable for delivering a fourth electrical current to a fourthcharging station.
 15. A method of charging one or more electric vehicles(EVs), the method comprising: receiving, from an electrical powersupply, electrical power at a first controller comprising a firstchannel and a second channel, wherein the first channel is operable fordelivering a first charging current to an EV at a first chargingstation, and wherein the second channel is operable for delivering atleast a portion of the electrical power from the first controller to asecond controller that is operable for providing a second chargingcurrent to an EV at a second charging station; the first controllerturning off the electrical power to the second channel in response todetermining that there is an EV charging load on the first channel; andthe first controller turning on the electrical power to the secondchannel only in response to determining that no EV charging load ispresent on the first channel.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: the first controller providing the first charging current tothe EV at the first charging station until the first charging currentdrops to a threshold level; and the first controller turning off thefirst charging current when the threshold level is reached.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising: the first controller providingthe first charging current to the EV at the first charging station foran interval of time; and the first controller turning off the firstcharging current when the interval of time expires.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the first channel comprises a first switch and thesecond channel comprises a second switch, and wherein the method furthercomprises: the first controller keeping the first switch on wheneverpower is received by the controller from the electric power supply; andthe first controller toggling the second switch on and off according towhether the EV charging load is present on the first channel.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the second charging station is coupled tothe second controller between the first controller and the secondcontroller, and wherein the second controller is coupled to a pluralityof output connections.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the secondcontroller is coupled to the second charging station between the firstcontroller and the second charging station, wherein the secondcontroller comprises a first channel and a second channel, wherein thefirst channel is operable for delivering the second electrical currentto the second charging station, and wherein the second channel isoperable for delivering a third electrical current to a third chargingstation.